Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Thursday, July 2

Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Tuesday, July 7^th.  

Here’s the news from Thursday: 

• Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
• 50,523 confirmed cases
• 3,643 probable cases  
• 54,166 total cases
• 8,038 hospitalizations
• 2,653 confirmed deaths
• 250 probable deaths
• 2,903 total deaths
• 2,035 ICU admissions
• More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE. 

• Governor DeWine announced new guidance for resuming school in the fall. The newly issued guidance report advises schools to vigilantly assess symptoms, wash and sanitize hands to prevent spread, thoroughly clean and sanitize the school environment to limit spread on shared surfaces, practice social distancing, and implement a face coverings policy. More details on the new school guidance will soon be available on coronavirus.ohio.gov. 

• To assist schools in their efforts to implement the guidance, the Ohio Department of Education has created a document titled, “The Reset and Restart Education Planning Guide for Ohio Schools and Districts,” (attached) which is designed to help teachers, principals, and administrators with solutions to safety challenges. The document provides resources and information for community decision-makers as they contemplate how to reopen safely. Additional K-12 guidance is also attached. 

• Governor DeWine also committed to working with the Ohio General Assembly on a plan to ensure that federal CARES Act dollars are made available to Ohio’s school districts for unforeseen expenses associated with creating a safe environment. 

• Governor DeWine announced that going forward, Ohio will maintain vital, necessary baseline orders to control the spread of COVID-19 while also implementing a new alert system. The Ohio Public Health Advisory System will provide local health departments and community leaders data and information to combat flare-ups as they occur in different parts of the state. The system consists of four levels that provide Ohioans with guidance as to the severity of the problem in the counties in which they live. Attached is a map with specific details. 

• A county's alert level is determined by the seven data indicators listed below. Additional measurements still in development include county-level data on contact tracing, tests per capita, and percent positivity. Detailed descriptions for each indicator are attached and can also be found on Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov. 

1. New Cases Per Capita
2. Sustained Increase in New Cases
3. Proportion of Cases that Are Not Congregate Cases
4. Sustained Increase in Emergency Room Visits
5. Sustained Increase in Outpatient Visits
6. Sustained Increase in New COVID-19 Hospital Admissions
7. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Bed Occupancy 

• Information on alert levels are listed below. Each alert level includes specific risk-level guidelines  (attached), including the requirement that all citizens comply with all health orders.
• Alert Level 1 Public Emergency (Yellow): Baseline level. County has met zero or one indicator. Active exposure and spread. Follow all health orders. 
• Alert Level 2 Public Emergency (Orange): County has met two or three indicators. Increased exposure and spread. Exercise high degree of caution. Follow all current health orders. 
• Alert Level 3 Public Emergency (Red): County has met four or five indicators. Very high exposure and spread. Limit Activities as much as possible. Follow all current health orders. 
• Alert Level 4 Public Emergency (Purple): County has met six or seven indicators. Severe exposure and spread. Only leave home for supplies and services. Follow all current health orders. 

• Profiles for the seven counties currently categorized in Alert Level 3 (Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery, Trumbull) can be found below and are also available on the new Ohio Public Health Advisory System website. 

• Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control has granted over 300 expansion requests to bars and restaurants to allow patrons more opportunities to enjoy dinner or drinks in a safe environment. Liquor Control has been working with local jurisdictions to extend liquor permits to outside spaces next to bars, such as parking lots and sidewalks, to expand seating capacity outside to keep patrons socially distanced.  

• Lt. Governor Husted announced that "Presumed Recovered" is a new data point now reported in Ohio's COVID-19 data metrics shared on coronavirus.ohio.gov. Ohio's current presumed-recovered count is 38,987. 

• Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.  

As always, Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov and the Department of Health hotline, 1-833-4-ASK-ODH are great resources for those who have questions.